At $1,873/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,873 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Meriden changed +2.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 41 Connecticut cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.7%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($71,253) is $1,781 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,655); a 3-bedroom is $2,055.
New Britain, 10 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,661/mo), about $2,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Meriden. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Meriden, CT is majority owner-occupied, 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Meriden, CT has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $59,792 to $71,253 across the same window, up 19.2% versus 2021. About 39.9% of households rent today, against 41.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.2% to 22.2%.
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At $1,873/mo, how Meriden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Meriden rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Meriden. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Meriden
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Meriden is $1,873/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,655/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,355/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,055/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($71,253/yr), Meriden ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Meriden rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Meriden?
At $1,873/mo, rent takes ~32% of Meriden's median household income ($71,253/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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